What Apple Keyboard Do I Need for My iPad?
When buying a keyboard for your iPad, it can be confusing as there are so many models, from the original Smart Keyboard back in 2015 to the latest Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 and M5. Apple has reused product names over the years and frequently changed which keyboards work with which iPads, so picking the right one isn't always obvious. In this guide we'll walk you through everything you need to know: how to identify your iPad, an easy to follow compatibility table, a feature by feature comparison of the different Apple keyboards, and a look at the best third-party alternatives.
How to find out which iPad you have
The easiest way to find out which iPad you have is by going to Settings > General > About. Here you will find:
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Model Name - This is the most straightforward way to identify your device, for example, iPad Pro 11-inch M4
- Model Number - Starts with an "A" followed by four digits (for example, A2759 or A2696).
You can also locate the model number on the rear of your iPad in small text near the bottom. Note that the newest iPad Pro M4 and M5 models don't have the model number printed on the back.
Once you have your model name or number, use the table below to find the compatible Apple keyboard.
iPad keyboard compatibility table
| Model Name | Model Number | Compatible Apple Keyboard(s) |
|---|---|---|
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M5) | A3361, A3362, A3360 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 & M5 (13-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M5) | A3358, A3359, A3357 |
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 & M5 (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) | A2926, A3007, A2925 |
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 & M5 (13-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | A2837, A3006, A2836 |
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro M4 & M5 (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M2) | A2764, A2437, A2766, A2436 | Magic Keyboard (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M2) | A2435, A2761, A2762, A2759 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (M1) | A2461, A2379, A2462, A2378 | Magic Keyboard (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M1) | A2459, A2301, A2460, A2377 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (4th gen) | A2069, A2232, A2233, A2229 | Magic Keyboard (12.9-inch), Smart Keyboard Folio (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (2nd gen) | A2068, A2230, A2231, A2228 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch), Smart Keyboard Folio (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd gen) | A2014, A1895, A1983, A1876 | Magic Keyboard (12.9-inch), Smart Keyboard Folio (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (1st gen) | A2013, A1934, A1979, A1980 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch), Smart Keyboard Folio (11-inch) |
| iPad Pro 10.5-inch | A1709, A1701 | Smart Keyboard (10.5-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (2nd gen) | A1671, A1821, A1670 | Smart Keyboard (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 12.9-inch (1st gen) | A1652, A1584 | Smart Keyboard (12.9-inch) |
| iPad Pro 9.7-inch | A1674, A1675, A1673 | Smart Keyboard (9.7-inch) |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M4) | A3462, A3464, A3461 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (13-inch) |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M4) | A3460, A3463, A3459 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (11-inch) |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M3) | A3269, A3271, A3268 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (13-inch) |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M3) | A3267, A3270, A3266 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (11-inch) |
| iPad Air 13-inch (M2) | A2899, A2900, A2898 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (13-inch) |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | A2903, A2904, A2902 | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (11-inch) |
| iPad Air (5th gen, M1) | A2589, A2591, A2588 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch) |
| iPad Air (4th gen) | A2324, A2072, A2325, A2316 | Magic Keyboard (11-inch) |
| iPad Air (3rd gen) | A2123, A2153, A2154, A2152 | Smart Keyboard (10.5-inch) |
| iPad Air 2 and earlier | A1567, A1566 | Bluetooth keyboards only |
| iPad (A16, 11th gen) | A3355, A3356, A3354 | Magic Keyboard Folio |
| iPad (10th gen) | A2757, A2777, A3162, A2696 | Magic Keyboard Folio |
| iPad (9th, 8th, 7th gen) | A2197, A2270, A2602, A2604 | Smart Keyboard (10.5-inch) |
| iPad (6th gen and earlier) | A1954, A1893, A1823, A1822 | Bluetooth keyboards only |
| iPad mini (all generations) | All years | Bluetooth keyboards only |
Important: The iPad mini doesn't support any Smart Connector keyboard from Apple it's too small. You'll need a Bluetooth keyboard with it. The same goes for older iPads that pre-date the Smart Connector (iPad Air 2 and earlier, iPad 6th gen and earlier).
Apple keyboard comparison
Now that you've found which keyboard is compatible with your iPad, you may be wondering what the differences are between the various models. Apple currently sells three main keyboards alongside several older models still widely available second-hand. Below is a feature-by-feature comparison.
| Feature | Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4 & M5) | Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2/M3/M4) | Magic Keyboard | Magic Keyboard Folio | Smart Keyboard Folio | Smart Keyboard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connection | Smart Connector | Smart Connector | Smart Connector | Smart Connector | Smart Connector | Smart Connector |
| Trackpad | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Function row | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Backlit keys | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No |
| Palm rest material | Aluminium | Plastic / silicone | Soft-touch coating | Soft fabric | Soft fabric | Soft fabric |
| Pass-through charging | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
| Front & back protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Front only |
A closer look at each Apple keyboard
Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro (M4 & M5):
Apple's flagship keyboard, redesigned in 2024 to match the slimmer iPad Pro M4 and now also compatible with the iPad Pro M5 (2025). It has an aluminium palm rest (a major upgrade from the older soft-touch finish), a larger glass trackpad with haptic feedback, and a 14-key function row for brightness, volume, and media controls.
Magic Keyboard for iPad Air (M2/M3/M4)
Released alongside the iPad Air M2 in 2024 and compatible with the M3 and M4 iPad Air models too. This is a more affordable take on the Magic Keyboard. It keeps the function row and glass trackpad, but drops the backlit keys and uses a plastic palm rest instead of aluminium.
Magic Keyboard (2020–2022)
The original Magic Keyboard line, compatible with most iPad Pro models from 2018–2022 and the iPad Air 4 and 5. No function row, but it does have backlit keys and a glass trackpad.
Magic Keyboard Folio
Designed specifically for the standard iPad (10th gen and A16 11th gen). Unique two-piece design: a detachable keyboard at the front and a separate back panel with an integrated kickstand. Includes a function row and trackpad, but no backlit keys or pass-through charging.
Smart Keyboard Folio
Discontinued in 2024 but still available second-hand and from some retailers. Lightweight, near-silent, and excellent for typing on the go, but no trackpad and no backlit keys.
Smart Keyboard
The oldest of the bunch. Found on older iPads with a Smart Connector on the side. No trackpad, no backlit keys, and a spongy typing feel.
Frequently asked questions
Why would you need a keyboard for an iPad?
A keyboard transforms the iPad from a tablet into something much closer to a laptop. The on screen keyboard takes up half the screen and is significantly slower to type on for most people. Adding a physical keyboard means you can write emails, take notes in lectures or meetings, work on documents, and reply to messages far more efficiently often doubling or tripling typing speed. iPadOS also supports keyboard shortcuts, and trackpad gestures, which makes the experience feel a lot more like macOS once a keyboard is attached.
Why would you get a keyboard for your iPad when you can buy a MacBook?
It's a fair question, and the honest answer is that they suit different people. An iPad with a Magic Keyboard offers something a MacBook can't: a touchscreen, Apple Pencil support, 5G connectivity (on cellular models), and the ability to detach the keyboard entirely and use the device as a pure tablet for reading, drawing, or watching content. For students, illustrators, note-takers, and anyone who works in a mix of environments, the flexibility is the appeal. A MacBook will always be more powerful for heavy multitasking and desktop-class software, but if you already own an iPad and need to type more on it, a keyboard is far cheaper than buying a second device.
Are there good third-party keyboard alternatives, and which are compatible with my iPad?
Yes, third-party keyboards are often cheaper than Apple's, and some offer features Apple doesn't. Here are the most popular options:
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Logitech Combo Touch
Probably the best known Apple alternative. It connects via the Smart Connector (no Bluetooth pairing, no charging the keyboard), includes a detachable backlit keyboard with a trackpad, and uses a Surface Pro-style kickstand that adjusts to almost any angle.
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Logitech Slim Folio Pro / Slim Folio
A Bluetooth keyboard case with backlit keys but no trackpad. Available for older iPad Pro and standard iPad models.
When buying any third-party keyboard, always check the listed compatibility against your iPad's exact model number.
Looking for an Apple Pencil too?
A keyboard is only half the story when it comes to getting the most from your iPad, the Apple Pencil is the other half. Just like keyboards, Apple Pencil compatibility varies between iPad models, with different generations supporting different Pencils. If you're thinking about adding one to your setup, head over to our Apple Pencil compatibility guide on the Hoxton Macs blog, where we break down exactly which Apple Pencil works with your iPad and what the differences are between each model.
